Despite being one of the main rooms of relaxation and retreat, the bathroom is often one of the least aesthetically pleasing areas of one’s home. This guide will offer you a few simple changes that can be put in place in order to give you the bathroom you’ve always dreamed of. We know you deserve to relax in your tub while enjoying the elegance of the room you created.

Make It Bright with Colors, Not Light

Instead of having dark walls and glaring lights, consider repainting your walls a light color and swapping out your blinding lights for softer hues. Many people opt for white, cream, or light blue/green shades. These give the impression of cleanliness.

Don’t Fear Plants and Paintings

Many plants thrive in the moist environment of a bathroom. Aloe vera, bamboo, and ivy will not only love the moisture of your bathroom, but you will love the look they give. Furthermore, a simple painting or piece of art will add character and give you something to admire while you soak.

Use Towels to Add Luxury

Don’t underestimate the feeling and look of a plush towel. Consider replacing grungy or mismatched towels with a fresh set. Luxury sets can be bought from outlets or discount retail stores that sell high-end sets at a reduced price. Placed elegantly on your towel rack, they will be awaiting you as you step out of the tub.

When in Doubt, KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid)

One of the major issues of bathrooms is clutter. Put away makeup, creams, clippers, and other items that are taking up counter space and making your bathroom look messy. In order to achieve a DIY luxury bathroom, you need to minimize what is seen. This can be done by using some wicker baskets and other beautiful storage containers.

Collect Simple Jars and Items to Display

The best part of a DIY luxury bathroom is that the design need not be complex. You can use mason jars, shells, and other simple items as decoration in your bathroom. Many people find cheap and beautiful items in thrift or antique shops that add character to their shelves. A DIY luxury bathroom doesn’t need to cost you a lot of time or energy. These few simple steps will allow you to reduce and simplify your bathroom into an elegant space you can enjoy. We hope you continue to love your bathroom for years to come!

Tell us how you make your bathroom look more luxurious in the comments section below!

The Home Improvement industry is steadily booming in India. People are now willing to spend on improvising their households. They feel that their home is a reflection of themselves. According to stats, there has been a considerable rise of house renovations and improvements in the year 2016 and expected to rise in 2017. Almost 75% is spent on furniture and fixtures while 25% in home decor.

Home improvement cannot be done haphazardly, it requires proper planning. Everything needs to be organized which would include even the worst case scenarios and their solutions. Some of the basic crucial steps for home improvement tools are:

1. Plan

Planning is a crucial and most important step for home improvement. One needs to have an idea regarding the areas that require improvement. Log all the details in a dairy, including measurements, your preferred layout and what you visualize for your space. Also, understanding your space is essential. Your ideas and layouts should be feasible to the measurements. Researching on ideas is vital.

2. Budgeting

The second important step is budgeting. Every improvement or restoration will require an estimated expense. Planning the budget would help one understand which areas require more resources and your money can be managed more effectively. Always try and keep a buffer of 15-20% for unexpected expenses.

3. Prioritizing

After the crucial step of planning, you should have a list of areas that would require improvements. Certain areas may require immediate attention to prevent damage. Hence, prioritizing comes into the picture. Immediate restorations can decrease the level of severity and cost at that instance. If certain restorations are avoided now, they could increase the overhead cost next time. Prioritizing will help in effectively managing time and budget. For prioritizing, the POSEC method can be used.

POSEC Method stands for Prioritizing by Organizing, Streamlining, Economizing and Contributing. It works as:

• Prioritizing responsibilities according to priority and available time.
• Organizing according to priorities
• Streamline tasks that need to be done (even if you don’t like them)
• Economize tasks that are not as important
• Contribute to help the contractors, if hired.

4. Pinterest and YouTube is your friend

Researching your projects will help you dodge certain mistakes. Pinterest and YouTube are the places where one can find many Do-It-Yourself (DIY) guides. Also, try reading certain books and magazines related to home improvement. On Pinterest, you can browse through numerous images to get practical ideas for your household.

5. Find the right contractor

One needs to find a reliable Contractor Directory for handling their household projects. For hiring a contractor, one needs to do research and also perform background checks.
Certain steps for hiring a contractor could be:

• Asking for peer feedbacks
• Research on the contractor
• Ask for references
• Get quotes from various contractors and tally

6. Save Money

Saving money on certain improvement projects would help one to invest in other minor home improvement projects. Spending it wisely is the key. More should be spent on replacing items that are hard to replace by yourself. Splurge on items that are beneficial to you and the household.
A good idea is to go and scout for your own furniture. This would help you get bargains and select your choice. Another option is checking for discounts and order over the internet. One can also save money by doing certain tasks by themselves by watching YouTube videos.

7. Match your home décor with furniture

Choosing the colour for your wall or furniture is up to you. Nowadays, people don’t always prefer matching colour. They like to add a splash of colour even at home. So, the colour choice is basically decided by you. Also, another option would be to mix designs and provide the house with an elegant look.

8. Plan for future upgrades

Through planning, you would know exactly where future improvements can take place. This would help you to analyse and save along the way. These future upgrades should be integrated with minimalistic changes to the current design.

9. Consultation

Home improvements need to be perfect as you invest a lot of money. In certain instances, feel free to consult licensed tradespeople. Any work related to plumbing, electrical or structural changes should be consulted with a professional before undertaking. You can even hire an architect or designer for the initial layout sketch.

10. Follow the instructions

While doing any Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project, keep all the right information handy. Follow all the instructions carefully to get the right outcome in the end. Also, ensure that you have the correct tools present with you. Ensure that you have complied with the appropriate safety measures.

Flooring Supply Shop

Author’s Bio
Akshay works as an Interior Designer with Lalco Interiors and he is in love with his job. Thinking up interesting home décor ideas and helping clients implement them is what makes him tick. You can catch up with Akshay and his team and indulge in one of their beautiful home décor pieces for your home at Lalco Interior.

Flooring usually goes by some rules but when it comes to basement flooring, most of those rules are thrown out of the windows. The reason for this is that basements usually are subject to completely new environmental threats. Even in spaces were weather isn’t an enemy, at least not in the usually way, basements can produce a rather moist environment where certain floors don’t prosper.

So what should be done in this situation? That’s what we’re here to help you with, as we will go over the fundamentals of basement flooring so that you have a better idea of what you should use for your own instance for example. Of course, each individual might have unique circumstances which would make the entire operation more complex for them. For example if you have a basement heating oil tank, you might have to consider other flooring options simply because of the potential leaking and whatnot. Although the best course of action in such a scenario would be to call some oil tank experts and maybe tway lifting to help you get it out so you can enjoy your basement properly.

What is the grade and what does it mean to be below or above it?

You might be confused if you talk to a constructor and they start talking about below grade or above grade materials. They are not referring to material quality and they aren’t suggestion that you should invest in cheaper or more expensive supplies. They are simply stating whether or not the material in question is designed for below or above ground level.
The former category isn’t safe from water vapors and similar threats whereas the latter, above ground level category can withstand such dangers.

Understanding the necessities of basement flooring

When you’re talking about below grade materials for your basement you have to abide by a different rule set if you’re going to get a long lasting job done. It’s important to keep these things in mind when proceeding with the flooring of your basement or otherwise you will most likely have to revisit it in the not so distant future.

Flooring Supply Shop

Look for the hardest materials

The hardest materials prosper best in environments such as the basement. Tile will always outperform carpeting for the basement, but there are also other options out there such as concrete. It also depends on what your design or style plan may suggest, so that it’s not just efficient but also in tune with everything else in the basement.

What happens when there’s a flood?

Flooding is one of the permanent concerns that you will face regarding your basement, regardless of your flooring option. Yes, flooring helps one way or another but it won’t stop actual flooding from happening in the eventuality of there being one. When it comes to flooring, ceramics are great because they dry out in the eventuality of a flood.

You ca also go for a laminate or wood approach but this implies a while other cause and effect. It is possible to install laminate flooring in the basement with the help of a foam underlayment, so if you really aren’t a fan of tiles or plain concrete, you can do that too.

Flooring your basement remains a tricky job simply because of how many things you have to keep in mind at the same time. However, it is far from impossible to pull off. It is however very important that you do it right the first time so you don’t have to come back and revisit the project every so often.

Myths you Should Stop Believing in Concerning Tile

Are you coming up to a Home Improvement project soon where you will be replacing your flooring but are weary of choosing tile? Maybe it’s because you have heard some things about it that sound horrifying, you are now against the very idea of even considering it. Maybe you don’t hate tile that much, but today we will go through the 6 most common myths about tile and show you the truth. This way you can make an educated, well thought out decision. Here are the myths, and why they aren’t true.

Myth: Tile is boring

Reality: Nowadays with the multitude of different flooring options available tile seems boring and difficult to customize. Hardwood is available in so many different grains, styles, & colors. Carpet has been expanding to include a wider variety of texture than ever before and vinyl now can be created to mimic any natural material out there. What many don’t realize is that in the last decade imaging technology has greatly improved, now tile can be customized to mimic hardwood, natural stone, or a completely custom pattern. Today you have more opportunity for tile customization than even your choice of hardwood.

Myth: Tile flooring is cold

Reality: This myth is true in some sense but not entirely. It is portrayed much worse than it is in reality. Tile is a conductor of temperature and holds a certain temperature for a very long time (kind of like stone). Taking this into account, during the winter if you live in a cold area tile that is exposed to the cold will retain the temperature and remain cool for long periods of time without warming up. Not always though, there is such a thing as radiant heat mats that can be installed directly underneath the tile. These can be controlled by a thermostat and will often actually help you save money on your heating bill (although they are pricey to install in the beginning). Another factor to pay attention to: the location where the tile is being installed and the material underneath. Above a well insulated area that is not directly perpendicular to the outdoors the tile will not have as a great a source of cold temperature as tile installed directly over concrete.

Myth: Wood alike tile looks fake

Reality: Maybe at first, but today wood look alike tile often times looks better than the real thing. With advanced imaging technology wood textures are printed directly onto the travertine creating not only a beautiful look but an authentic feel. If you are worried about the grout lines that will give it away, don’t. You can purchase tile that is finely cut to match the surrounding pieces requiring little grout and almost no transition.

Myth: Tile flooring is expensive

Reality: Every valuable investment is made with hope that it was worth it. Although tile is significantly more expensive to purchase and install than vinyl or carpet it can last for much longer. The most durable vinyl won’t last longer than 20 years. Carpet, you’ll be lucky if it lasts 10-15 years. Tile on the other hand will last a lifetime, if not longer. There’s a reason it has been the go to flooring material for thousands of years. Spending double what you would spend on carpet or vinyl will pay off in the long run. Even if you aren’t planning on selling your house in the short term: if done right, tile will increase the monetary and visual value of your home.

Myth: Tile breaks easily

Reality: Tile; porcelain, ceramic, & travertine are much more durable than you imagined. Yes it is possible to chip or crack tile, but much less so than majority of other flooring materials. Tile is the only material that water will not damage, as well as the only material that you can be sure will not face scratching or denting from a pets claws. If one tile is damaged it can easily be taken out and replaced by a new one. Vinyl on the other hand requires repairing the whole section.

Myth: Tile requires little or no maintenance or care

Reality: Although tile is plenty more durable than most other flooring materials, it still requires upkeep and maintenance. A properly sealed tile floor requires much less maintenance as it will not be affected as much by daily wear and tear. You must periodically reseal the floor to ensure that it is protected as well as picking up stains and moisture as soon as it happens. Although ceramic and porcelain are considered strong materials the grout in between them will give way to acid and erosion, thus should be avoided.

Credit Visit our company blog at www.divinehns.com/news for more flooring industry news.

From ceramic to marble, slate to stone, with so many tiles to choose from, tiling your kitchen can be daunting. If you’re completely redesigning your kitchen, it’s tempting to focus more on choosing appliances than the small details like tiles, but they can be the key to your kitchen’s new look and if chosen correctly, will enhance your kitchen beautifully. Here are some things to consider when shopping for kitchen tiles.

Different materials have different qualities

Ceramic tiles
One of the reasons ceramic tiles are so popular in kitchens is their durability. Dropping plates or cutlery, for example, won’t leave a mark. Ceramic tiles withstand lots of traffic and don’t soak up moisture. They can even be slip-resistant with the right finish. Another huge benefit of ceramic tiles is that they are fireproof, which is particularly important in the kitchen.

Porcelain tiles
Similarly to ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles have low water absorption which means they are less likely to be stained. Typically a popular choice for bathroom floors, porcelain is a popular choice for bathroom tiling, although the fact that porcelain tiles are easy to maintain with no polishing or sealing means they are great for kitchens.

Natural stone tiles
Natural stone tiles are popular choices for kitchens due to their wild variations in color and quality. Each tile is completely unique and can look really beautiful as a surface, but it’s important to do your homework when looking for colors. Granite is a popular choice for kitchens, the hardest natural stone and a good natural water repeller.

Color

Create a color scheme
When choosing a colour scheme for your kitchen, a good rule of thumb is to aim for two dominant colors and one accent color, which will enable the room to become whole with separate pieces of color and adds depth to the composition. You may also consider painting your kitchen cabinets or furniture, such as a wooden table and chairs, to match your tile choices.

Choose countertop first
Before choosing your floor or wall tiles, you should first pick out a material and color for your countertops, since they are usually what people notice first when walking into your kitchen. When you come to choosing your flooring, take a sample of your countertop with you to ensure colors are coordinated.

Create contrast
The best kitchen designs have a balance of tones and materials. For example, white is a popular color for cabinets and tile backsplash, but by also using white tiles on your kitchen floor, the room will go from feeling light and fresh to institutional. Try to use a combination of light, medium and dark tones, for example, by matching floors and countertops and having cabinets as a secondary color, or vice versa.

Style

Retro
Retro style kitchens are quickly coming back into fashion and can be the key to making your kitchen pop. Classic and sophisticated, black and white floor tiles are a must-have in retro decorating and also have a timeless appeal that can be paired with more contemporary and traditional style accessories. You can also add a hint of colour by choosing a contrasting tile backsplash.

Modern
If your preference is a modern kitchen, emphasizing grey, black and white in your tile choices will keep your kitchen looking sleek. Pairing granite or marble countertops with stainless steel appliances creates an elegant feel. If you want to design a modern kitchen with a little more color, add a bright mosaic tile backsplash or pick out a vibrant floor finish.

Traditional
The traditional kitchen design is warm and classic and can be interpreted according to your taste. Shades of chocolate brown are a popular choice for floors and countertops, while deep blues and rich reds give a hint of colour on cabinets or accent areas. You might see marble, brick, stone and even wood on the backsplash.

The bathroom is more than a place to have a bath. Besides its basics usages, it is a place of solace where one can spend time alone and peacefully. Many of us utilize it for relaxing and quiet contemplation, others for generating business ideas.

Other than the major bathroom products like the shower enclosure, bathtub or wash-basin, the petite bathroom accessories augment the décor of the bathroom and make it the perfect place to unwind. let us look at how you can rightly co-ordinate your bathroom with bathroom accessories.

Bathroom accessories should always match the interior and theme of the bathroom. If the setting of the bathroom is urbane and contemporary, it is best to opt for modern bathroom accessories. Bathroom fittings available in chrome finish provide suave and smart look to a bathroom. In contrast, if a bathroom theme is country-style, ceramic-based bathroom accessories would work well.

Before, purchasing any accessories it is important to make a list of items that are necessary accordingly to individual style. Practical decisions always result in improved functionality and better utilization of space. To begin with, few basic accompaniments like towel rings, soap dish, toilet paper holder, and robe hооks are a necessity. In addition, luxury item like mats, vanity sinks, tumbler holder and special cabinets for storing toiletries should be purchased only if the space in the bathroom permits and they satisfy individual lifestyle needs. Bathrooms that are overloaded with accessories not only look cramped but also do not allow optimum utilization of this item

Keeping in mind the space constraint, shape, size and color play important role in coordinating your bathroom with bathroom accessories. It increases functionality and space utilization. For small size bathroom, a soap basket would be idle instead of multiple soap dishes. Similarly, size of cabinets, towel bars and robe hooks should be decided upon necessity and size. Several of these bathroom items are available in various shapes that use less space and fit snugly onto the walls or in some corner of a bathroom.

Lastly, color is another important aspect to consider while coordinating bathroom with bathroom accessories. It is important to choose mute or subtle colors for accessories. If the color of the walls and fittings is bright. This will make it look pleasing than busy and loud. If color of the walls and fitting is vivid, various vibrant shades of similar or contrast color accessories will enhance the appearance of the bathroom.

Decorate your bathroom to reflect your personality. If you are a fun-loving, colorful individual, you can decorate your bathroom with a lively, bright chrome towel rack, colorful laundry basket, or shower curtain. If you are a more calm or soothing person you might prefer softer colored accessories. Whatever color scheme you choose, make sure that it reflects your personality so that you feel at ease whenever you visit your bathroom.

Finding upscale bathroom accessories

Decorating your bathroom does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. You can find inexpensive high end bath accessories to decorate your bath quite easily if you look around and have an open mind.

Your bathroom accessories can be extravagant yet inexpensive to create the perfect look and feel for your bathroom. Be creative when choosing bathroom accessories; with a bit of imagination you can design a stunning bathroom.

Are you getting these kind of results…?

Check out this floor of the Historic Fox Theater in downtown Detroit, MI across from Tiger Stadium…

This b beautiful full restoration that was done by Gregg Laviolette’s team at Stone Restoration Service’s Detroit location.

This multi-stone installation had years of wax buildup and significant lippage. Gregg’s team used metal diamonds to grind it perfectly flat. Then they proceeded to use our Cheetah System Step 1-4.

There was a variety of equipment and configurations used on this job. They ran a planetary machine with 6″ heads and centered our 5″ Cheetah Pads (flat’s) on each head with great success, as well as using traditional 175 RPM swing machines with our 5″ Cheetah Pucks and weighted drive plates

5″ Cheetah Pucks – 17 mm thick and you can use 4-6 of each step spaced evenly on our riser or directly on weighted drive plate. Our most aggressive pad!

5″ Cheetah Pads (Flat) – Available in 8″ and can be centered on 9″ planetary head and work great for vertical surfaces, counter tops, stairs, and edge work.

By performing this mechanical polishing process this building is going to have significantly easier and reduced on-going maintenance work and costs and a superb looking floor for longer!

Nice job SRS Team and thanks for sharing!

Let’s take a look at this next floor…
How about this newly poured terrazzo…

This was a newly installed resin based terrazzo that was finished up to an 800 grit traditional diamond by the installation company. The maintenance supervisor did not want to put coatings or wax finishes on this new floor.

You can achieve amazing results while saving over 50% in labor/steps over traditional restoration methods… and time is money! Are you using our system yet…?

Overview

Diamond Pads That Perform Stone Restoration in Half The Time

Using traditional diamond pads, stone restoration takes hours. The operator is constantly changing the buffer pads to achieve the correct honing, resurfacing and polishing. Using Cheetah Pads stone restoration of Terrazzo, Marble, Travertine, and Limestone is very fast. The pads allow the operator to combine three and sometimes four steps into just one saving hours of labor. Cheetah Pads on average achieve up a 70% reduction in labor hours.

Cheetah Pads repair high quality stone floors such as Marble, Terrazzo and Travertine using only water. There is no need for powders or harsh chemicals at all. In addition, Cheetah Pads work on standard floor buffers, orbital or planetary machines. There is no special equipment required.

Stone Restoration without 20 Years of Experience

In addition to being fast at stone restoration, Cheetah Pads do not need operators with years of experience to use them. In just a short time regular staff members with minimal training can complete phenomenal resurfacing projects using Cheetah Pads. This includes previously difficult techniques such as lippage removal, honing and polishing.

Some more before and after pictures from other projects by different contractors

Saving hours on labor, chemicals and job time gives your business the competitive edge to win more bids and to earn more profits from this advanced technology. The advanced patent pending technology in Cheetah Pads makes this possible

Diamond Pads That Perform Stone Restoration in Half The Time

Very easy To Use

Up to 70% reduction in labor

As much as 75% lower cost

Work well on any floor buffer, orbital or planetary machine

No heavy duty equipment required

Extremely fast cutting

No chemicals used, only water

No acidic components

Extreme concentration of micro abrasives

Works incredibly well on ALL Marbles, Travertine, Limestone, Terrazzo and Polished Concrete

Chemical free Diamond pads are an Eco Friendly way to achieve a dull hone on Travertine, Marble, or Limestone Floors, countertops or walls.

Use on floors walls or countertops with little to no lippage (uneven tiles).

Many homeowners believe that there is no other solution for the discolored or cracked old concrete flooring except removing and replacing it with a new flooring. However, this is not true, concrete resurfacing is an easy and affordable option available for aging concrete driveway, patio, or other concrete flooring. Resurfacing gives a brand new look to the old flooring and it seems as if a new flooring has been installed. It is a cost-saving and effective way of renovating a deteriorating concrete floor, but it cannot create miracle; hence do not expect it to solve severe buckling, underlying soil issues or other major problems.

Before you plan to opt for resurfacing, you need to assess whether or not the concrete flooring can actually be resurfaced. It is not such a daunting task, and you can do it without any need for professional guidance. You just need to inspect the floor and ensure that there are no deep or large cracks, warp or damages, and also that the soil has not yet begun to settle. In case any of these conditions do exist, resurfacing may not be the ideal solution to overcome such problems. You can even consult a concrete professional who can tell you whether resurfacing the concrete floor is a feasible option.

Restaurant – Concrete floors

There are different types of concrete resurfacing options available, which you can choose to give the floor a whole new look. Overlays are one of the popular options owing to the different patterns that can be achieved by them. You can choose amongst the stampable overlays that look like brick or natural stone, the self-leveling overlays for smooth finish, or the micro-toppings for textured finish or troweled smooth. Most homeowners opt for the spray down overlays that are not only durable but also provide a skid-resistant surface.

Apart from overlays, you can also go for staining, where you can add an appealing solid color to a concrete floor. Moreover, staining produces rich semi-transparent color effects that can look like polished marble or stained wood because the stains seep deep into the concrete. Since the properties of the concrete surfaces vary from one another, hence the effect of staining also varies, and it is this distinctiveness that makes this option interesting.

Exterior – Concrete floors

Another option that you may choose is the stenciled concrete patterns that are available in an array of appealing patterns. A stencil is placed over the concrete surface and a thin decorative coating is applied over it in different ways. There are different ways of applying the coating, such as spray down or trowelling down. You can even use adhesive stencils to create desired patterns on the concrete surface. For creating grids, geometric shapes or more intricate designs, you can select saw cutting option; the concrete is saw cut, after being hardened. You can even create a contrast with the adjacent concrete by staining the pattern in different colors afterward.

Concrete Countertop

Engraving or etching is also a popular choice where attractive designs are etched on the concrete surface, with the help of special tools. Unlike overlays, it is a permanent surface treatment and hence, it is advisable to select patterns only after due consideration. For enhancing the appearance of the resurfaced floor, you can follow it by staining. Apart from these, there are many other resurfacing options available, with the help of which you can upgrade the look of your home’s deteriorating concrete surface.

This marble floor was completely restored with our eco-friendly cleaning pads. Check out the final results on this blog post.

There’s no question about it, stains are never good news, but especially not when they ruin expensive furniture or flooring. Often, we jump to conclusions and assume the whole floor will need replacing, but before you panic, have a read of these simple, yet effective solutions.

Of course, the method to remove the stain will vary according to the type of stain and type of flooring, so we’ll go through each scenario.

Spills and Pet Stains

Carpet

Use an eco-friendly white vinegar, which neutralizes odors with its acidity. If dry, sprinkle baking soda and let is sit for a few hours before vacuuming.

Stone

Blot, then wipe the area with a soft cloth dipped in sudsy water. Next use a dry cloth with rubbing alcohol, and finally, a dry cloth soaked in watered-down bleach.

Vinyl

Combine dish detergent, vinegar and warm water and scrub the area using a soft-bristled brush. Rinse with clean water

Hardwood

First, use floor wax, and if still dark, apply bleach or vinegar and allow to soak for an hour. Rinse with a damp cloth.

Oil-based stains

Carpet

Blot until no oil is left on the paper towel and then rub alcohol onto the stain. Next, apply dish soap and water.

Stone

Create a paste using ammonia or a degreaser. Apply paste to the stain, cover with a plastic bag and wait until dry.

Vinyl

Rub with a vinyl cleaner and water and soak for 15-20 minutes. Wipe with warm water and repeat.

Hardwood

Use dishwashing detergent to break down grease and rinse with water. Once dry, smooth the raised grain with sandpaper.

Water marks

Carpet

Use mineral oil to rub stains with a cloth. Sit overnight and repeat again if necessary.

Stone

Varies by type of natural stone, but generally won’t stain.

Vinyl

Use warm water and white vinegar to remove stain.

Hardwood

Use floor wax and if the stain goes deeper, lightly sand the floor and clean with mineral spirits.

When your walls and floors start to look a little outdated and worn, tile is a great solution to give your home the finishing touch it needs. There are various types you can use for your surfaces, but here are a few tips to get your started.

Kitchen countertops

Tiling kitchen countertops makes your home look shiny and new, as well as potentially increasing the value of your home. Choose astone tile for something longer lasting and practical, or aceramic tile for a more traditional look.

Bathroom floor

The right bathroom tile with help transform your space into a relaxing spa. If you decide to opt for a design that is clean and simple, create a focal point using your favourite plant or pillar candle to draw the eye into a particular spot.

Kitchen backsplash

Is your dream kitchen rustic and cosy or modern and stylish? Smaller tiles with repeating patterns give a decorative finish, although some opt for larger tiles which are easier to clean. Whatever you choose, backsplash tiles are an easy way to add colour, pattern and texture to your space.

Entryway

The entryway is the first area that people see when coming into your home, so it’s important to make sure your choice is eye-catching and complements your home. For an entryway that is grand and elegant, amarble tile is a great choice.

Fireplace surround

As well as being a cosy spot for your living room, a fireplace can be a statement piece. Whether you choose brick, stone, or mosaic, ensure your choice can withstand the heat as well as adding style to the room.

Calling All DIYers: A New World of Weekend Bathroom Updates Awaits with TileWare Bath Fixtures

Reasons to renovate and make small changes to your home are as varied as your life’s situations: Perhaps you have a growing family or find yourself in an empty nest situation, where you need to change your home to reflect and accommodate a new lifestyle. Whatever your renovation needs – additional space for entertaining, an expanding at-home business, updating or modernizing – there are advantages to renovating right now. A newly remodeled kitchen, for example, represents a value-added enhancement to the entire home because family meals, entertaining with friends and holiday gatherings tend to center around the kitchen. Likewise, bathroom renovations can directly impact your comfort and convenience by creating a retreat for you to enjoy each time you walk through the door – improved lighting, updated fixtures and easier access for the elderly can add quality of life, lower your energy rates, and add value to your home.

If you’re a DIY type, the TileWare company has launched a plethora of bath fixture products that makes it easy to update a bathroom in only a weekend’s time. Amongst the myriad of tile and bath items offered by TileWare is a distinct collection of bath fixtures that have caused quite the splash – no pun intended – in the home industry, including the Promessa Series’ baskets, shower hooks, towel bars, as well as the Victoria Series of grab bars, a product that is also part of TileWare’s Victoria Series of structural surface shelves.

We are often asked by many of our customers exactly what it is that separates brands like TileWare from other manufacturers of bath fixtures and accessories…and why TileWare commands a premium over more “generic” types of bathroom supplies. The company’s vision – which has always been to innovate, engineer and connect product applications that have their primary value illustrated in and through mortar-based products – enables it to revalue decorative and functional amenities as tile industry brand commodities. TileWare’s best-selling Promessa Series shower baskets, for example, are designed to fit a broad style palette and work with any tile motif and pattern; with the basket options, you’ll be able to organize bath soaps, scrubbers and containers ranging in size from one ounce to 32 ounces and even professional salon-sized containers.

The secret to TileWare fixture appeal is the uncanny ease of installation these products boast, and at the heart of it is the company’s watermark PermaTile Fastener System. This is the first non-penetrating, non-intrusive mortar-based fastening system exclusively designed and engineered for the tile industry. That means the PermaTile System is a patented technology for secure installation of accessories such as basket shelving, hooks, towel bars and grab bars without drilling through post-construction, finished tile surfaces. The system also avoids the penetrations and intrusions that occur when plastic wall anchors and screw-type fasteners are used for mounting. And while the PermaTile System Is installed by professionals in new construction and renovation projects at the time of tile installation, TileWare’s bath fixtures themselves have become increasingly popular among DIY weekend warriors.

From easy installation to strong, durable products revered on the home building circuit, TileWare makes the dream of updating your bathroom in merely a weekend a vivid reality.

Almost anyone who has ever taken a regular shower knows that the warmth and soothing rhythm of the water can provide great stress relief. When it comes to steam showers, you can enjoy those familiar benefits as well as a number of others.

A steam shower provides wet heat that can open your pores, causing you to sweat and helping your body to release toxins. If that was the only potential benefit, it might be enough. But a steam shower may also help your circulation, open up your sinus passages, assist you with weight loss and offer you the opportunity to relax your thoughts as well as your body.

You may have enjoyed these kinds of benefits in a sauna at a spa, but with the Serene Steam shower, you can now enjoy them in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Although it’s a luxurious product, its simplicity of design and ease of installation may surprise you. The stainless steel shower system comes boxed and ready to install by your plumber or contractor. It requires no hook-up to electricity.

Showerheads and Audio System

Serene Steam is a shower system that includes a rainfall shower head and a Bluetooth audio system in addition to its steam function. Its large showerhead, either round or rectangular depending on the model, can be angled to regulate water flow the way you want it. There is also a back and shoulder shower head which can be swiveled to the angle that works best. This shower head directs a high pressure flow of water to areas of your body that often hold tension, your shoulders and upper back. Water can also be diverted to a hand held shower head.

The sound system is one of the most interesting features, providing you with the chance to enjoy lovely music while you relax in the steam. The waterproof Bluetooth sound system is placed in a semi-flush position inside the shower unit. It uses a lithium ion battery which should never need to be replaced. The speaker system is docked in such a way that it’s removable, so you can take it out when you need to recharge it. A cable and charger come with the system. The system manual, which can be printed from the company’s website, details the speaker system and how it can be removed and replaced. The manual also provides instructions for connecting the speaker system to a Bluetooth enabled portable device.

Steam Control and Aromatherapy

The highlight of the Serene Steam shower is its steam control dial, which can be easily turned to an open or close position to release steam. Once you’ve reached the steam level you desire, usually within about five minutes, you can turn the function to a halfway “cruise” mode to complete the steam experience. Steam will be released from the main vent, raising the temperature to a comfortable warmth.

You can also utilize the system’s aromatherapy feature to enjoy a relaxing scent with your steam. A few drops of essential oil are placed in the proper opening so scent will be delivered with the steam. Per warranty, only official fragrances like Eucalyptus Fusion and Harmony Aroma, from approved vendors such as Flooring Supply Store can be used in the system in order to avoid any potential problems.

The Serene Steam shower system delivers a relaxing shower and steam experience. Its modern design, relatively easy installation and enhanced features such as Bluetooth audio and aromatherapy make it a luxurious investment. However, it’s also an eco-friendly system as steam generally only uses about half the water volume of regular showers so you’ll save both energy and water.

For those of us who live such fast paced lives that we can hardly catch up, let alone treat ourselves to some much needed pampering, a steam shower is a perfect option. It turns even the most mundane of tasks into a spa like experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.

For many homeowners, once fall hits, it becomes prime time to shift their focus from the outdoors to indoors – primarily to their interior design, or lack of it, in some cases. With cooler weather, you’ll be spending more and more time inside, and who wouldn’t want to make their interiors as stylish and welcoming as possible when the weather outside is anything but? Plus, with all that time spent cooped up indoors, you might as well make the most of it and add value to your home at the same time!

A much overlooked aspect of almost every home is the floors. While they cover less area, and aren’t quite as visible or immediately noticeable as your walls, they make just as much of an impact on the overall look and feel of a home. They also take much more of a beating than walls do, particularly in heavily trafficked areas like an entryway or the kitchen. That’s why more and more homeowners are looking to implement stable, stylish, and durable materials for their flooring in these areas, such as tile. With tile, you don’t have the same concerns as you would with carpet or hardwood, and the floors will be significantly easier to clean and care for.

However, many homeowners view the installation of an attractive tile floor as a costly and labor intensive practice, particularly if they’re doing it on their own. That’s where the ATR Tile Leveling system comes in handy. Not only does it help you to get the job done easily, it requires no additional tools, and it uses only 1/3 of the spacer a normal system would take in order to do the same job. The system also cuts the installation time by 75 percent when compared to more traditional methods. For those who want a relatively quick project that isn’t going to take weeks upon weeks to complete, but had previously counted tile out, your answer is in the ATR Tile Leveling system.

The ATR system allows you to not only get the tile floors or walls you want, but makes it much easier and quicker to do so. It only takes three easy steps and afterwards, you’re done! The first step is to spread the mortar over the area you want to tile, then put the tile in place. After this, you’ll need to screw the provided spindle into the spacing plate, which you’ll then need to slide under the tile before placing the adjacent tiles down. From there it’s as easy as screwing in the spindle until all the tiles are aligned and level. Afterwards, you simply let the mortar dry before you screw it out. (For a visual demonstration of this straightforward process you can check out this video).

Think of all the possibilities and looks you can create by easily installing tile. This glossy glass tile would create a fantastic backsplash in a modern kitchen, particularly since it’s moisture impervious, resists fading, and is fire resistant. And these blue pebble glass mosaic tiles would give any bathroom a tranquil, spa-like atmosphere. For a chic and classic entryway, the classic (but far from boring) tumbled travertine octagonal tiles make the right statement to welcome guests to your home. The possibilities are really endless with such an easy, cost efficient, and time saving installation system at your disposal.

Spencer Blohm is a freelance lifestyle and pop culture blogger for www.albertaenergyproviders.ca. When he’s not busy working he’s usually plotting his next home improvement project.

The most outstanding aspect of contemporary design, when compared with other styles, is the almost immediate sense of modernity it conveys – without the over-simplification of the truly modern design style. Of course, this shouldn’t be surprising, since – by definition – this style is meant to capture advances in the style of interior decor for the 20th century and beyond. Characterized largely by smooth lines, a complementary palette of color and a certain sleekness of form, it provides your apartment or house with a wide range of accessories with which to highlight or convey your sense of taste.

The Contemporary Living Room and Kitchen

The best thing about this interior decor style is the sheer range it affords you in making your apartment an extension of your personality and taste. Unlike the strong motifs of the traditional style, which aren’t easily amenable to your present life, the contemporary style allows countless arrangements of the softer, less edgy elements of a room to stand out without dominating each other.

When you have guests over, your living room is the first introduction and should make the strongest initial impression. Although you want to give a sense of expansiveness when it comes to the furniture and floors, you want to shy away from the plainness of a modern (retro, today) interior and add color and warmth. Tans, browns and mocha colors are a great option if you’re inclined towards earth-tones, and blacks, greys and muted whites – with spot-lighting and rounded corners – if you like things even simpler. Because the contemporary style blends so many elements of the modern style, it can be hard to visually distill the differences between the two; but, if you have trouble, just think “retro.” If you get this feeling while perusing elements you wish to add, then chances are, it’s not contemporary.

The other room of great importance is the kitchen, since it’s often a secondary meeting place for conversations and a primary place for dining. Just as with the living room, lighting plays an exceptionally-important role in conveying the right sense here. In contrast to the pure white, even harsh, lighting of the modern kitchen, the contemporary alternative will have warm bright light that almost looks yellow. It should cast an inviting ambiance; almost as if the kitchen is an extension of the living room. This isn’t hard to effect; just make sure to employ tone-on-tone color schemes for elements that “touch.” For example, if the hardwood floor is mocha-colored, then the pantry directly above it might be milk chocolate or dark beige. Globe-lights with a chrome finish help to accentuate the transitional elements between the living room and kitchen, as well – there are many things you could do to contemporize your kitchen.

The Role of Color in Contemporary Design

Often times, you find a considerable amount of attention being dedicated to color, when it’s color combination that actually matters. For the in-home design, the way that similar shades enhance each other, or different shades complement one another, determines the ambiance of the room. Because the contemporary pad is defined more by solid, bright colors and geometric shapes, a transition from the myriad of muted colors that often defines a traditional style can automatically confer a sense of newness to the room. A few options, if you have black, white or dark grey furniture, are grey blinds by Rollerblinds. The contemporary style softly filters light, and is more effective than pure white blinds for muting the light in the room even further for daytime television watching or other.

Investing in hardwood flooring implies a significant investment that can turn out beneficial in the long run. Though there are sources suggesting that modern bamboo flooring is as effective as hardwood floors with a hardness rank comparable to oak, nothing beats hardwood floors when it comes to class, elegance and structural strength. Go further through the post in a bid to acquaint yourself with benefits of installing hardwood floor in your homes or offices.

You might as well be browsing a number of sites including wikipedia.org Interior Design and http://www.designerhq.org in a bid to get a hang of the modern interior designing concepts and ideas. But before going in to details – know for a fact that the flooring would be counted as an integral part of the project and its only advisable that you acquaint yourself with its nitty-gritty.

Convenience of Installation and Easy Maintenance

Superior hardwood floors are engineered to offer a homogenous and steady fit. Those who have due experience in DIY flooring would hardly find it difficult to install it. It turns out to be a more sagacious investment than carpet as its color might start waning with time. Additionally, hardwood is considered to be hypoallergenic as it does not retain debris that can lead to or aggravate your allergies as carpet does. As it doesn’t retain dust you can settle for regular but easy cleaning processes including moping, vacuuming and drying.

Versatility

No matter how diverse or unique your needs are, hardwood offers you variant choices in terms of appeal- styles, stains, species, colors, finish etc. In fact, it can safely be claimed that no two hardwood floors are the same. Additionally, wood is naturally equipped with versatile patterns.

It’s Healthy!

Hardwood flooring unmistakably makes for a healthy interior choice. It does not have embossing or grout lines that would allow pollen particles, dust, allergens or animal dander settle on it, thereby bolstering overall air quality. There are immediate health benefits associated with this attribute as the debris-free air in the house proves conducive for people with respiratory illnesses.

Problems and Solution

Cupping and buckling is a recurrent problem with hardwood. You need to ensure that you’re familiarizing yourself with these concepts before installing the hardwood in your home or office.

It’s phenomenon which refers to a malformation or warping process that is caused by absorption of humidity. Now, “how would your indoor flooring would be exposed to humidity?” Yes, it’s possible. There are several ways whereby the wood becomes vulnerable to moisture. Both the normal ground water saturation levels at your home or else the outdoor humidity levels in the geographical area you’re residing in, make for the standard sources of humidity. Additionally, if the burst water pipelines remain unattended to, for a considerable period of time, the internal structure of your home might be considerably damaged as well. Therefore, as a homeowner if you have noticed cupping or buckling in the floor, make sure you’re identifying the source of water and attending to it immediately.

Remodeling the kitchen and bathroom returns anywhere from two-thirds to three-quarters of the money invested into the project, Remodeling Magazine reports. With each of these projects, old and outdated flooring can be a major portion of the remodeling, as can replacing appliances and fixtures in the room. Remodel now to enjoy the positive changes and make more money when you go to sell your home. While it may not seem like winter offers many advantages over other seasons, especially in snowy areas like Vermont and Virginia, it’s actually a wonderful time to replace flooring: The drier air prevents the boards from gapping while the lack of humidity wards off water damage during the installation.

Winter works well for floorboard replacement

In the winter, contractors are limited in what they can do. Many cannot complete exterior projects, like adding on a new deck. Replacing flooring is one job they can do year round, because it happens inside the home. For you, this means a faster job completion time because contractors aren’t trying to satisfy as many jobs as during the peak season. Additionally, stores are more likely to stock all needed items so your project won’t hit a supplier-side snafu. Picking out the right shade of stain and discussing the advantages of maple, bamboo and walnut flooring can help prevent some of the winter weariness that sets in when you have long winters.

Because hardwood is so easy to clean and also hypoallergenic, it can make your daily life easier in a season when taking the dog out for a simple walk can mean tracking in wet and dirty snow. A new hardwood floor also increases your home resale value and makes your everyday life more enjoyable. If your old floor squeaked, replacing the floor can reduce the noise level in the home as well.

Planning a floor replacement

While winter is an ideal time to replace your floor, this project comes with a lot of debris. You’ll have your old floorboards that have been ripped out, plus any under layers that need replaced. You’ll also have the trim ends of anything you are installing, plus all of the equipment needed to clean and prepare your floors. In the summertime, it’s easy enough for you or your contractor to run all materials to the dump at the end of the day. In the winter, the dump may have limited hours or a winter storm can make driving unpleasant. If your city has laws that regulate the storage of garbage and debris or that specify that all garbage must fit in your garbage can, you might want to consider renting a dumpster for this project. You can find short term dumpster rentals by the day, week or month. At the end of the rental time frame, the Richmond dumpster rental company will haul away the dumpster and debris.

ATR Leveling System -Upcoming update Feb 1st 2014

We at ATR are excited and glad to announce after a long year of re-development, further testing and improvements, ATR will soon be introducing the new innovated Spindle and Spacing Plate designs

NEW Spindles

The new spindle features a new screw element with a larger head and grip element,4 segment viewing windows for easier viewing access and much more robust which means you will get more uses and will save you long term expenses

NEW Spacing Plates – available by the end of March 2014

Soon to be released the new 3mm Spacing plate. This 3mm spacing plate design may also be substituted for the use of laying on Floors and Walls. Available in Cross plates, T shape plates and Edge plates. The new spacing plate features a dome look effect to the underside for tightening spindle to it’s desired strength locked position and to eliminate anymore future concerns of the screw tip penetrating through! This was never the situation but more of an allusion.

This unique innovated ATR patent system will work with any type of tile, thickness up to 18mm excluding un-even stone type like Slate or as such composites, for more handy information on any of our products visit www.atrleveling.com

How to Properly Budget and plan your Home Improvement Projects

Now that 2014 has started, many Los Angeles homeowners are getting their budgets together and making plans for the New Year. For many people the improved economy means that they can finally tackle some of the big home improvement projects they might have had to put off previously.

One of the biggest home improvements you can make which can reap surprisingly dramatic results is replacing your flooring. Try to imagine that old carpeting in the dining room replaced with beautiful, hardwood floors. The whole room could be completely transformed, and the value of your home will no doubt increase. It also helps that new technology and innovations have increased flooring options by the tenfold in the last few years. Just looking at Flooring Supply Shop’s options can show you just how many new options you have.

Another thing you may noticed while shopping around is the number of environmentally friendly options you have. It’s not news that there is a rapidly increasing focus on bringing sustainable materials into every facet of consumer lives, and flooring is no exception to the trend. Unlike a few years ago, there are a huge number of options today.

One option you have if you’re looking to replace some marble in your home, is to actually not replace it at all! If you haven’t heard about our Restoration Training and Cheetah Pads, just let the results speak for themselves. What could be more environmentally friendly than buffing your way to a completely new floor?

However, if you’re searching for a new look in your home that is also Eco-friendly, one of the biggest trends right now is concrete. Yes, you heard that correctly, concrete. This concrete isn’t the boring sidewalk slabs you’re imagining, since the innovations that have been made with concrete are astounding. It can be molded to fit any area, can be dyed or stained to any color, polished until it gives you a high shine look, and – barring any catastrophic events – would never need to be replaced.

While concrete is great, one of the newest, coolest, and most environmentally friendly options on the market right now is glass tiles. Eco-friendly glass tiles are made of recycled glass products (like beer bottles) which are then converted into beautiful tiles. It’s really incredible how a bunch of old wine bottles can be transformed into some truly unique flooring. On top of being an environmentally friendly flooring option, many people are using it on the walls of their home or as back-splashes in their kitchen thanks to its light reflecting properties. As an added bonus the tiles are easy to maintain and you won’t have to worry about staining as you would with many traditional types of tiles.

It seems counter intuitive to assume that hardwood floors are eco-friendly, right? Chopping down trees can’t be good for the environment. However, thanks to new advancements you can get hardwood floors without so much as knocking a leaf off of a tree due to engineered hardwood floors. In the past engineered hardwood got a bad rap thanks to it’s less than conventional look, but like every other flooring material out there a few years of time and testing has resulted in a more aesthetic appearance. In addition to being environmentally friendly, it’s usually significantly cheaper than traditional hardwood, sometimes as much as $3 a plank cheaper. They’re also much easier to install than their traditional counterparts.

When making plans for major home renovations it’s easy to get lost in the details and forget about the environmental impact your choices may have. However, it is our responsibility to do our best to use sustainable, eco-friendly products as often as we can, and that includes our flooring. Thanks to the incredible advancements in technology, Eco-friendly floor options are cost effective and very aesthetically pleasing, sometimes more so than non-green options. Just take a look around at some of Flooring Supply Shop’s environmentally friendly options and you can see just how far we’ve come in terms of green flooring options.

About the Author: Spencer Blohm is a freelance design, lifestyle, and entertainment blogger for Direct-ticket.net. His interests range from interior design to old Hollywood films and can often be found scavenging in vintage and antique stores for his next big find. He lives and works in Chicago.

Step by Step Guide to Refinishing your Bathtub

Whether you love do-it-yourself projects or are on a budget and need to do some refurbishing on your own, it`s not hard to refinish a bathtub and you`ll be surprised that you can get it done in a reasonable amount of time. Pretty soon you`ll have a beautiful new tub that will bring new life to your bathroom. It can be a focal point, or you can blend the tub with paint, tile, linens and d?cor that tie the entire room together seamlessly.

Step 1
Before doing anything else, you need to clean your tub. Remove any non-slip materials with degreaser. Use a scrubber to thoroughly wash the tub and remove all debris, dirt and other items. Don`t worry about scratching the tub because you won`t be able to tell once your refurbishing project is finished. Rinse the cleaning fluids from the tub once you`re finished so that your paint has a prime surface to adhere to.

Step 2
Sand the tub using 400 to 600 grit wet sandpaper. This serves a couple of purposes. It gets rid of any leftover cleaner on the surface and it gives the new coating a solid place to stick. Make sure you get wet sandpaper because it`s much easier to wash away as you work.

Step 3
Mix the new paint for the tub with epoxy. Make sure the two are very well combined. Look for a kit that makes it easy to combine the correct ratio of paint to epoxy so you don`t damage your tub or have to start the project over. A kit is also a great way to make sure you buy the proper type of paint so you don`t mistakenly end up with something that doesn’t hold up well to contact with water. These kits come in several sizes, allowing you to get just as much product as you need to get the job done.

Step 4
Use a paintbrush to apply the paint to the surface of the tub. Paint in one direction only and apply several thin coats rather than one thick one. Allow an hour or so of drying time between each coat.

Step 5
Use a coordinating color of caulk and apply an even line around the tub, making sure to get the corners. Smooth the caulk as you go to get an even looking appearance. Wait a day or two before using the tub to be sure the paint and caulk is completely dried.

Tips and Tricks
Before getting started with your bathtub refinishing project, it`s a good idea to protect the other surfaces in your bathroom so you don`t have damage or costly repairs to deal with. Put a drop cloth over the toilet and the floor surrounding your tub. That way, if caulk or cleaner splashes or drips, clean-up is easy and you won`t mistakenly ruin something else. Remove all towels, rugs and wall art from the bathroom as well. This will keep them out of the way and protect them from damage.

Once you`re done with the tub refinishing, replace the bathroom essentials, or shop for new items to go with your new and beautiful bathtub. Shop online or in stores for new linens, wall art and decor items that will make your bathroom look stunning in no time. Consider a new color combination, such as gray and yellow, blue and coral or white and gray to give your bathroom an elegant and classy look. All of these choices look great with a bright white bathtub.

Composeal Gold and Radiant Heat Flooring Systems.

Many of our customers have been asking us how Radiant Floor Heating Systems should be installed when using COMPOSEAL GOLD. When it comes to installing radiant floor heating, we go through a process called the “installation sandwich.”

As you go through the process of installing Radiant Floor Heating Systems, you can see that the flooring consists of a variety of layers. Like a sandwich, these layers stack on top of one another in order to function properly.

COMPOSEAL GOLD is a direct bond membrane made up of a high-density PVC, with non-woven polyester scrim laminated on either side of the 40 mil sheet membrane, for direct bonding to the substrate as well as the ceramic tile or marble above. It does not rot and is highly resistant to solutions containing salts, acids, and alkalis, as well as many organic solvents, alcohols, and oils. COMPOSEAL GOLD is used as a concealed crack isolation (anti-fracture) and/or waterproof membrane under thin-set installations of ceramic tile and marble, terrazzo and brick; for new construction, remodeling or repair, residential and commercial, in kitchens, restaurants, resident entries, steam rooms, radiant heated flooring, shopping malls, etc.

Negligible shrinkage at extreme temperatures, -20° F to 212° F, makes COMPOSEAL GOLD especially ideal for Radiant Heated Flooring Systems. Its scrim is designed specifically for direct bonding on both sides of the “sandwich” in ceramic tile and dimension stone installations. This serves as a Crack-Isolation (uncoupling) membrane that provides adequate support/load distribution for your tile covering, and allows the heat from the system below to radiate up through the installation into the room.

*Always consult with the manufacturer of the radiant heating system for their specific installation instructions for installing radiant heating under ceramic tile.

Step 1: Expose the Subfloor

Remove the old carpet, leaving the subfloor exposed. If necessary, use a scraper to separate the carpet from the floor. Remove excess glue from the cement subfloor with scrapers and an appropriate solvent, making sure to follow the solvent directions.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply adhesive to the concrete subfloor and lay down the crack-suppression membrane. Apply the adhesive in sections and unroll the membrane onto the floor, using a floor roller to press it flat and work out any air bubbles. Since concrete expands and contracts as the temperature changes, this membrane will help support the floor and prevent cracks in the tiles or grout.

Install the plastic grids that will hold the radiant-heat wires, using hot glue to adhere the grids to the subfloor. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and space the grids uniformly over the floor to prevent hot and cool patches.

Step 4: Snap the Cables into the Grids

Snap the radiant-heat cables into the grids, keeping them evenly spaced to prevent hot and cool patches in the floor. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance on how far apart to space the cables.

Step 5: Mix and Spread the Thinset Mortar

Use a heavy-duty drill with a paddle bit to mix Thinset mortar according to the package instructions. Use a straight-edge trowel to apply a layer of mortar over the electrical cables. When mixed to the correct consistency, the mortar will stick and mound on the trowel without falling off. Make sure to hold the trowel at a consistent angle throughout the job so the mortar bed will have a uniform thickness. Allow the mortar to dry thoroughly before proceeding. Wet or cold weather will slow down the drying process, and below-freezing temperatures can keep the mortar from curing properly. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance.

Step 6: Power the Radiant-Heat Floor

The best way to power the radiant-heat floor is to hire a licensed electrician to run a dedicated circuit from the home’s main electrical panel to the correct room. The electrician also can install the control panel/heating sensor in the wall.

Step 7: Determine the Layout

Dry-fit a vertical row of tiles and a horizontal row, leaving space for grout, to determine the best layout. The ideal layout will use as many full tiles as possible. The tiles against the wall should be a half-tile wide or wider.

Step 8: Spread Mortar and Lay the Tiles

Spread mortar on the floor, using the notched edge of the trowel to create deep grooves in the mortar. Press each tile into the mortar, wiggling it gently to seat it. Check the tiles for level and adjust as needed. Use tile spacers to keep an even grout line. Use a wet saw to cut tiles as needed for the perimeter of the floor.

Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and use caution when working with a wet saw.

Step 9: Mix and Apply the Grout, and Apply Sealant

After the mortar is dry, mix the tile grout according to the package instructions and apply with a grout float. Use a diagonal motion to apply the grout, working it into the spaces between the tiles. Let the grout dry slightly, then wipe the excess off the tiles with a damp sponge using a diagonal motion.

Let the grout dry completely before sealing. Once the grout sealant is dry, move the furniture back into the room. Let the mortar cure for four weeks before using the radiant-heat system.

CODES, CERTIFICATION

COMPOSEAL 30 and 40 comply with the three major plumbing codes: UPC-IAPMO, SBCCI and BOCA. COMPOSEAL has separate municipal approval where required, e.g. City of Los Angeles, City of Philadelphia (40 mil), Metropolitan Dade County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Approval is no longer required in New York City for concealed PVC waterproof membrane).

COMPOSEAL also complies with the Corps of Engineers specs for PVC shower pan material (para 5.8.3.2 15 p1-18) and meets the requirements of FHA Publication 4900.1.

WARRANTY: COMPOSEAL 30 and 40 are warranted against failure for any reason, and in the event of failure, replacement material will be supplied at no charge. This warranty applies only to the membrane itself and not to the manner of installation over which we have no control, and it does not extend to consequential damage or other implied responsibility. COMPOSEAL should last the life of the building.

About Us

Flooringsupplyshop.com is the online presence of International Flooring Center. We have been providing a broad selection of tiles, heated flooring, tools, setting material, equipment, bathroom accessories and more for both contractors and homeowners since 1986.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or comments regarding your order(s) or otherwise, email or call us any time.